Network system and image projection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A network system includes an image projection apparatus that projects image data; a first terminal; and a second terminal where the first terminal includes an original image data storing unit that stores original image data and a corresponding information generating unit that generates corresponding information in which image identification data of the image data for projection, generated from the original image data, capable of identifying the original image data and terminal identification data for identifying the first terminal correspond with each other, and the image projection apparatus includes a corresponding information sending unit that sends, upon receiving the request for delivering the corresponding information of the image data being projected from the second terminal, the corresponding information stored in the storing unit, to the second terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/585,959 filed on Aug. 15, 2012, which claims the benefit ofpriority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-179073 filed on Aug.18, 2011, where the entire contents of all applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a network system and an imageprojection apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

As a projector can project an enlarged image, the projector has beenwidely used at various situations such as a meeting in an office,various kinds of presentations, a school or the like where a presenterpresents an image to plural people.

Further, the projector has been developed to have plural functions inaddition to a display function. Especially, the projector has beendeveloped to have functions actualized with other devices which areconnected with each other via a network. For example, a projector havinga function to connect to a network, can receive an operation or an imagefile from a Personal Computer (PC) which is connected via the network,and decode the image file to be projected. For such an operation of theprojector, generally, utility software is used. For example, the utilitysoftware is installed in the PC so that the PC can be easily wirelesslyconnected to the projector and file transfer an image file of apredetermined format. Thus, even when the functions are increased, theprojector can be easily used.

For example, when the projector can handle a JPEG image file, a PCconnected to the projector via a network converts an image file storedin the PC to be in JPEG format using utility software and sends theimage file to the projector. Further, the PC converts format,resolution, color tone, and compression ratio of the image file to becapable of being handled by the projector using the utility software.

The reason for performing such processing by a PC, not by a projector isthat generally, memory capacity or performance of a CPU of a projectoris lower than that of the PC, or resolution of an image file capable ofbeing handled by the projector is lower than that of the PC. Thus, it isnecessary for a PC to generate an image file, which can be handled by aprojector, from an image file stored in the PC, using utility softwareto send the generated image file to the projector.

A technique in which the projector sends an image file being projectedto PCs of participants is known (see Patent Document 1 for example).Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an image beingprojected by a projector is captured to be sent to a PC of a participantas an image file. Thus, it is described that the PC of the participantcan display the image file with a browser.

However, there may be a problem that the image file sent to the PCs ofthe participants by the projector is different from the original imagefile stored in the PC of the presenter.

[Patent Document]

-   [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.    2010-122263

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in light of the above problems, andprovides a network system capable of delivering appropriate image datato a participant.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a network system includingan image projection apparatus that projects image data; a firstterminal; and a second terminal, connected with each other via anetwork, wherein the first terminal includes an original image datastoring unit that stores original image data, an image data generatingunit that generates image data for projection, for which an amount ofinformation is reduced from the original image data, from the originalimage data, a corresponding information generating unit that generatescorresponding information in which image identification data of theimage data for projection capable of identifying the original image dataand terminal identification data for identifying the first terminalcorrespond with each other, a first sending unit that sends the imagedata for projection with the respective corresponding information to theimage projection apparatus, a reading unit that reads, upon receiving arequest for delivering the original image data stored in the originalimage data storing unit including the image identification data from thesecond terminal, the original image data from the original image datastoring unit based on the image identification data included in therequest, and a second sending unit that sends the original image dataread by the reading unit to the second terminal, wherein the secondterminal includes a first obtaining unit that sends a request fordelivering the corresponding information of image data being projectedby the image projection apparatus to the image projection apparatus, andobtains the corresponding information sent from the image projectionapparatus in response to the request, and a second obtaining unit thatsends the image identification data included in the correspondinginformation and a request for delivering image data to the firstterminal specified by the terminal identification data included in thecorresponding information obtained by the first obtaining unit andobtains the original image data based on the image identification datafrom the first terminal, and wherein the image projection apparatusincludes a storing unit that stores the image data for projection incorrespondence with the corresponding information sent from the firstsending unit, an image projection unit that projects the image data forprojection, and a corresponding information sending unit that sends,upon receiving the request for delivering the corresponding informationof the image data being projected from the second terminal, thecorresponding information stored in the storing unit, to the secondterminal.

According to another embodiment, there is provided an image projectionapparatus, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal via anetwork, wherein the first terminal includes an original image datastoring unit that stores original image data, an image data generatingunit that generates image data for projection, for which an amount ofinformation is reduced from the original image data, from the originalimage data, a corresponding information generating unit that generatescorresponding information in which image identification data of theimage data for projection capable of identifying the original image dataand terminal identification data for identifying the first terminalcorrespond with each other, a first sending unit that sends the imagedata for projection with the respective corresponding information to theimage projection apparatus, a reading unit that reads, upon receiving arequest for delivering the original image data stored in the originalimage data storing unit including the image identification data from thesecond terminal, the original image data from the original image datastoring unit based on the image identification data included in therequest, and a second sending unit that sends the original image dataread by the reading unit to the second terminal, and the second terminalincludes a first obtaining unit that sends a request for delivering thecorresponding information of image data being projected by the imageprojection apparatus to the image projection apparatus, and obtains thecorresponding information sent from the image projection apparatus inresponse to the request, and a second obtaining unit that sends theimage identification data included in the corresponding information anda request for delivering image data to the first terminal specified bythe terminal identification data included in the correspondinginformation obtained by the first obtaining unit and obtains theoriginal image data based on the image identification data from thefirst terminal, the image projection apparatus including a storing unitthat stores the image data for projection in correspondence with thecorresponding information sent from the first sending unit; an imageprojection unit that projects the image data for projection; and acorresponding information sending unit that sends, upon receiving therequest for delivering the corresponding information of the image databeing projected from the second terminal, the corresponding informationstored in the storing unit, to the second terminal.

Note that also arbitrary combinations of the above-describedconstituents, and any exchanges of expressions in the present invention,made among method, device, system, recording medium, computer programand so forth, are valid as embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a relationship betweenan image file sent to a PC of a participant and an image file stored ina PC of a presenter;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an image projectionsystem of an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a structure of an imageprojection system of an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware structure of aprojector;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware structure of apresenter terminal or a participant terminal;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the image projection system of an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of corresponding information of anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of history information of anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of theprojector, the participant terminal and the presenter terminal of anembodiment;

FIG. 10A is a view showing an example of a projector selection screendisplayed on a display device of the presenter terminal;

FIG. 10B is a view showing an example of an image file selection screendisplayed on a display device of the presenter terminal;

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a display projected by theprojector;

FIG. 12A is a view showing an example of an image information inputdisplay displayed on a display device of the participant terminal;

FIG. 12B is a view showing an example of an original image filedisplayed on a display device of the participant terminal;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of images for each of the casesshown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of images projected and delivered;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of generatingthe history information;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of images projected and delivered;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector;

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of an image information inputdisplay displayed on a display device 27 of the participant terminal;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the image projection system of an embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of generatingthe history information by a history generating unit 33 of anembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of the history information of anembodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector;

FIG. 27 is a view showing an example of a magnification inquiry displayimage displayed on a display device of the participant terminal;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the image projection system of an embodiment; and

FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of theprojector, the participant terminal and the presenter terminal when theparticipant terminal obtains original image file.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before describing of the present embodiment, the related art will beexplained in detail with reference to FIG. 1 in order to facilitate theunderstanding of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a relationship betweenan image file sent to a PC of a participant and an image file stored ina PC of a presenter.

-   (1) A PC of a presenter 210 converts an original image file 200 to    an image file for projection 202 using utility software before    sending.-   (2) The PC of the presenter 210 sends the image file for projection    202 to a projector 100. The image file for projection 202 sent to    the projector 100 no further has a correspondence with the original    image file 200.-   (3) The projector 100 decodes the image file for projection 202 to    project.-   (4) A participant 220 a, for example, operates a PC of the    participant 220 a to capture the image being projected.-   (5) The projector 100 sends the image file for projection 202 to the    PC of the participant 220 a.-   (6) Thus, the participant 220 a can print out the image file for    projection 202 using the PC.

However, in this case, the image file sent to the PC of the participant220 a is the image file for projection 202, and the quality of theprinted object may be low. The invention will be described herein withreference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that many alternative embodiments can be accomplished usingthe teachings of the present invention and that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments illustrated for explanatory purposes.

It is to be noted that, in the explanation of the drawings, the samecomponents are given the same reference numerals, and explanations arenot repeated.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an image projectionsystem 300 of the embodiment. According to the image projection system300 of the embodiment, the participant terminal can obtain an originalimage file 200 generated by the presenter, not an image file forprojection 202. The total operation of obtaining the original image file200 is explained.

-   (1) A presenter terminal of a presenter 210 converts an original    image file 200 to an image file for projection 202 using utility    software before sending. The utility software may cause the image    file for projection 202 to correspond with the original image file    200, by putting the same name to the original image file 200 and the    image file for projection 202 and store them in different folders or    the like, for example.-   (2) The presenter terminal generates corresponding information 204    in which an image ID of the image file for projection 202 (which is    also image ID of the original image file 200 or capable of    specifying the original image file 200), an IP address of the    presenter terminal and a delivering permit flag correspond with each    other. Then, the presenter terminal sends the image file for    projection 202 and the corresponding information 204 to a projector    100.-   (3) The projector 100 stores the image file for projection 202 with    the corresponding information 204.-   (4) The projector 100 decodes the image file for projection 202 and    projects the image file for projection 202 on a screen.-   (5) The projector 100 records a projection history of the projected    image file for projection 202. In FIG. 2, the projection history is    recorded that indicates three image files of a presenter “A” (210)    have been projected. In the projection history, an operation history    (magnified display or the like), a display period and the like are    recorded for each of the image files.-   (6) When a participant 220 a, for example, wants to print or store    an image file which is being projected, the participant 220 a    operates a respective participant terminal to send a request for    delivering the image file with image ID of the image file to the    projector 100.-   (7) The projector 100 specifies the presenter terminal which sends    the image file for which the participant 220 a sends the request for    delivering the image file based on the image ID included in the    request and the corresponding information 204.-   (8) The projector 100 obtains the original image file 200 from the    presenter terminal which stores the original image file 200.-   (9) The projector 100 sends the original image file 200 to the    participant terminal which has sent the request for delivering the    image file.-   (10) Subsequently, the participant 220 a can print the original    image file 200 using the participant terminal. As the original image    file 200 is not converted for projection, a printed object with a    high quality can be obtained.

In the following, image data and an image file are not differentiated,when it is referred to as the image file, the image file may includeimage data as well.

(Structure)

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a structure of an imageprojection system 300 (an example of a network system). The imageprojection system 300 includes one or more participant terminals 80 (anexample of a second terminal), a presenter terminal 90 (an example of afirst terminal) and a projector 100 (an example of an image projectionapparatus) connected with each other via a network 101. One of theterminals connected to the projector 100 becomes a terminal operated bythe presenter 210. However, the presenter may be changed in turn, sothat the presenter terminal 90 may not be fixed. In the following, aterminal operated by the presenter 210 is referred to as the presenterterminal 90 and a terminal operated by the participant (220 a, 220 b, or220 n) is referred to as the participant terminal 80.

The network 101 may include an internal LAN, a wide area network (WAN),an IP-Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN), an INTERNET VPN, the INTERNET orthe like. The network 101 may be any kind provided that the participantterminal 80 can communicate with the projector 100. Further, the network101 may partially include a telephone network. Further, the network 101may be wired or wireless.

The presenter terminal 90 generates the image file for projection 202 byprocessing the original image file 200 stored in a storing area of thepresenter terminal 90 and sends the image file for projection 202 to theprojector 100 via the network 101. The projector 100 projects the imagefile for projection 202 sent from the presenter terminal 90 via thenetwork 101 on a projection surface such as a screen or the like.

The participants 220 a, 220 b and 220 n, the presenter 210, and theprojector 100 are present at a common space such as a conference room orthe like. The participants 220 a, 220 b and 220 n and the presenter 210can see an image projected on the screen or the like. Further, theparticipants 220 a, 220 b and 220 n and the presenter 210 can move tothe projector 100 to operate the projector 100. The participant 220 a,220 b and 220 n can obtain an image file of an image projected by theprojector 100 from the projector 100 by operating the participantterminal 80.

A server may be connected to the network 101 in order to strengthen theprocessing ability of the projector 100. In such a case, an image outputinterface of the projector 100 is connected to the server. Further insuch a case, the server communicates with the presenter terminal 90 andthe participant terminal 80 to obtain the image file from the presenterterminal 90 and to deliver the image file to the participant terminal80.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware structure of theprojector 100. The projector 100 includes a CPU 16, a projection datamemory 14, a program memory 15, a projection unit 18, a user interface(I/F) 17, a wireless LAN I/F 11, a cable LAN I/F 12, and a Video I/F 13.

The CPU 16 controls the entirety of the projector 100. The projectiondata memory 14, the program memory 15, the projection unit 18, the userI/F 17, the wireless LAN I/F 11, the cable LAN I/F 12, and the Video I/F13 are connected to the CPU 16. The connection structure shown in FIG. 4is just an example, and the components such as the CPU 16 or the likemay be connected with each other via a bus.

The user I/F 17 includes an operation unit that accepts an operation bya user to the projector 100, and a display unit that presents a statusof the projector 100 to the user. The operation unit may be a keyboard,a switch, a touch panel, a voice input device or the like. The displayunit may be an LED lamp, a liquid crystal or the like.

The projection unit 18 includes a projector lens, a condenser lens, alamp, a mirror or the like. The optical system of the projection unit 18may be as follows, for example. A light valve, an LED, a laser light orthe like may be used as a light source. Further, a Digital LightProcessing (DLP) element, a Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel and aMEMS mirror may be used as a polarization optical element for havinglight be projected on a plane.

The cable LAN I/F 12 is an interface for connecting to LAN by Ethernet(registered trademark) or the like. The wireless LAN I/F 11 is aninterface for wirelessly connecting to a LAN in accordance with astandard such as IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n or the like. The projector 100 mayfurther include a USB I/F for reading an image file from a USB memory,although not shown in the drawings.

The projection data memory 14 stores the image file for projection 202.The projection data memory 14 may be a rapid access memory such as aDRAM, a Ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), a Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) or thelike.

The program memory 15 stores a program 19 which is executed by the CPU16 of the projector 100. The program memory 15 may be a ROM such as aflash memory. The projector 100 actualizes the various controls inaccordance with an operation written in the program 19. The program 19is provided in a state being stored in a storage medium 20, deliveredvia the network 101 from a server (not shown in the drawings), or thelike.

The Video I/F 13 is an interface for inputting a video signal from aPersonal Computer (PC, not shown in the drawings). There are variouskinds of interfaces for inputting the video signal, and the Video I/F 13may be D-sub, S-VIDEO or the like for an analog signal; HDMI, IEEE 1394,DVI, DisplayPort or the like for a digital signal.

Here, the projector 100 of the embodiment receives image files via thenetwork 101. Thus, the Video I/F 13 is not basically used. In thispoint, the present embodiment is different from a case where a Video I/Fof the PC and the Video I/F 13 of the projector 100 are directlyconnected so that a display displayed on a display unit of the PC isprojected on a screen by the projector 100.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a hardware structure of thepresenter terminal 90 or the participant terminal 80. For the presenterterminal 90 or the participant terminal 80, a general PC may be used.Further, alternatively, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, aPDA or the like may be used as the presenter terminal 90 or theparticipant terminal 80.

The presenter terminal 90 or the participant terminal 80 includes anexternal storage unit 21, a memory 22, a CPU 23, a user I/F 24, adisplay device 27, a wireless LAN I/F 25, and a cable LAN I/F 26. TheCPU 23 controls the entirety of the presenter terminal 90 or theparticipant terminal 80. The external storage unit 21, the memory 22,the user I/F 24, the display device 27, the wireless LAN I/F 25, and thecable LAN I/F 26 are connected to the CPU 23.

The external storage unit 21 is a non-volatile memory having a largevolume such as a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, for example.The external storage unit 21 is not necessarily integrated with ordirectly connected to the presenter terminal 90 or the participantterminal 80, and may be a Network Attached Storage which is connected tothe presenter terminal 90 or the participant terminal 80 via the network101. The external storage unit 21 may store a program 28 which isexecuted by the CPU 23, the original image file 200 and the image filefor projection 202.

Here, the memory 22 may include a RAM and a ROM. For example, theprogram 28 stored in the external storage unit 21 is loaded in the RAM,and the CPU 23 accesses the RAM to execute the program 28. One of theprograms executed by the presenter terminal 90 or the participantterminal 80 is utility software. The utility software may be developedby a manufacturer of the projector 100 (or a third party having arelationship with the manufacturer). The utility software may beprovided with the projector 100, or may be downloaded from a server by auser having a license of the projector 100. The projector 100 permitsthe presenter terminal 90 or the participant terminal 80 to communicatewith the projector 100 by detecting or authenticating the utilitysoftware.

The user I/F accepts an operation of a user of the presenter terminal 90or the participant terminal 80. The user I/F may be a keyboard, apointing device (a mouse, a track ball, a touch pad), a touch panel, avoice input device or the like. The display device 27 includes afunction of generating display information such as a predeterminedresolution, a number of colors or the like and a function of a display.For a case when the presenter terminal 90 or the participant terminal 80is a desktop PC, the function of the display may not be integrated. Thedisplay may be liquid crystal, organic EL, electronic paper or the like.

The cable LAN I/F 26 and the wireless LAN I/F 25 are the same as thecable LAN I/F 12 and the wireless LAN I/F 11 of the projector 100 andthe explanation is not repeated.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the image projection system 300 of the embodiment. As describedabove, the image projection system 300 includes the projector 100, thepresenter terminal 90, and the participant terminal 80.

(Presenter Terminal 90)

The presenter terminal 90 includes a projection image generating unit42, a corresponding information generating unit 43, an image filesending unit 44, and an image storing unit 45. These functions areactualized by cooperation of the hardware and the program (utilitysoftware) executed by the CPU 23 of the presenter terminal 90.

The image storing unit 45 stores the original image file 200. Further,the image storing unit 45 may store the image file for projection 202which is generated from the original image file 200 temporarily or withthe original image file 200.

The projection image generating unit 42 generates the image file forprojection 202 from the original image file 200, selected by thepresenter 210 for projection, into a form applicable to the projector100. The presenter terminal 90 may send an inquiry about the format ofan image file capable of being handled by the projector 100 to theprojector 100. Alternatively, the presenter 210 may set the format ofthe image file capable of being handled by the projector 100 in thepresenter terminal 90.

Whether the projector 100 can handle the image file may depend on theformat of the image file. Further, when the number of pixels or filesize of the image file is extremely large, even if the projector 100 canhandle the image file, it may take time to process or send the imagefile. Thus, the projection image generating unit 42 converts the formatof the image file to a format capable of being handled by the projector100, and further image processes to reduce the number of pixels or thefile size of the image file to be less than a predetermined value.

In the following, all of these conversions of the image file are simplyreferred to as a “conversion for projection”. The conversion forprojection may generally lower the image quality of the image file.However, there may be a case when it is unnecessary to generate theimage file for projection 202.

For example, when a format of the image file for projection 202applicable to the projector 100 is JPEG, and a format of the originalimage file 200 stored in the image storing unit 45 is BMP, theprojection image generating unit 42 converts the format from BMP toJPEG.

Further, when an image size of the image file for projection 202applicable to the projector 100 is WXGA (1280×800), XGA (1024×768), SVGA(800×600), or VGA (640×480), and a size of the original image file 200stored in the image storing unit 45 is SXGA (1280×1024), the projectionimage generating unit 42 converts the size of the original image file200 to the closest image size, for example, to WXGA (1280×800). Further,in order to equalize the image size of image files to be projected, theimage file may be converted to a predetermined resolution (for example,SVGA). A method of reducing the image size of the image file may bebilinear convolution, bi-cubic convolution or the like. In thisembodiment, even when the image file for projection 202 is generated,the original image file 200 is not deleted.

Alternatively, the projection image generating unit 42 may increase theresolution of the image file. With this operation, an image file with asmaller number of pixels may be converted to have a resolution higherthan the original image file to be projected. For a method of convertingan image file to high resolution, bi-cubic convolution, nearest neighbormethod or the like may be used.

Further, when the number of pixels or file size is more than or equal toa predetermined value, the projection image generating unit 42 reducesthe number of pixels or file size of the image file. Specifically, themethod includes increasing a compression ratio, lowering a color tone orthe like. The compression ratio can be changed by a format of JPEG orPDF. The color tone can be changed by, for example, changing a number ofcolors for 1 pixel from 8 bits to 4 bits for each of RGB.

For the compression ratio, for the case when the image file is of JPEG,if compression ratio is written in a file header, the value may be usedto determine whether the compression ratio is too small and if thecompression ratio is too small, the compression ratio may be made largerto compress the original image file 200. With this operation, the filesize can be reduced. Further, regardless of the original compressionratio, the projection image generating unit 42 may compress the originalimage file 200 such that the file size of the image file for projection202 becomes less than a predetermined value.

The projection image generating unit 42 stores the image file forprojection 202 and the original image file 200 in the image storing unit45 in a corresponding manner. The original image file 200 and the imagefile for projection 202 are identified by a unique image ID,respectively. The image ID may be added in addition to a file name ofthe original image file 200 and the image file for projection 202 byutility software, or the file names of the original image file 200 andthe image file for projection 202 may be used as the image ID. When thefile name is used as the image ID, the file name can be uniquelyidentified in a same folder by the file system. In this embodiment, inorder to simplify the operation, the file name is used as the image ID.Thus, the original image file 200 and the image file for projection 202are stored in different folders.

“Correspondence of the image file for projection 202 and the originalimage file 200” means that when the image ID of one of the image filefor projection 202 and the original image file 200 is assigned, theimage ID of the other of the image file for projection 202 and theoriginal image file 200 is uniquely determined. In this embodiment, theimage file for projection 202 and the original image file 200 are storedin different folders while having the image ID of the image file forprojection 202 to be the same as that of the original image file 200.With this structure, when the image ID of the image file for projection202 is assigned, the image ID of the original image file 200 can berecognized. Further, when the image ID, different from that of theoriginal image file 200, is assigned to the image file for projection202, both of the corresponding image IDs are stored in a table or thelike.

The corresponding information generating unit 43 generates thecorresponding information 204 in which the image ID of the image filefor projection 202 and the IP address of the presenter terminal 90 (ownterminal) correspond with each other. The corresponding information 204is sent to the projector 100 with the image file for projection 202.

Thus, the projector 100 can specify the presenter terminal 90 that sendsthe image file for projection 202 based on the corresponding information204.

The corresponding information generating unit 43 resisters a deliveringpermit flag for the corresponding information 204 upon accepting asetting from the presenter 210. The delivering permit flag indicateswhether the presenter 210 permits delivering the original image file200. The delivering permit flag may be structured to include informationindicating whether the image file for projection 202 is permitted to bedelivered.

The image file sending unit 44 (an example of a first sending unit and asecond sending unit) sends the image file for projection 202 (or theoriginal image file 200) with the corresponding information 204.Further, when the projector 100 sends a request for delivering theoriginal image file 200 with the image ID of the image file forprojection 202, the image file sending unit 44 reads the original imagefile 200 which corresponds with the image ID from the image storing unit45. Then, the image file sending unit 44 sends the read original imagefile 200 to the projector 100.

(Participant Terminal 80)

The participant terminal 80 includes an image information accepting unit52 and an image obtaining unit 51. These functions are actualized by acooperation of the hardware and the program (utility software) executedby the CPU 23 of the participant terminal 80.

The image information accepting unit 52 accepts image information(document ID, IP address of the projector 100 if necessary) forspecifying the image file for projection 202 from the participant (forexample 220 a). The document ID may be same as the image ID of the imagefile for projection 202, or an ID by which the projector 100 can specifythe image ID of the image file for projection 202.

The image obtaining unit 51 obtains the original image file 200corresponding to the image file for projection 202 projected by theprojector 100 from the projector 100.

(Projector 100)

The projector 100 includes a corresponding information storing unit 30,an operation accepting unit 31, an image projection unit 32, a historygenerating unit 33, a history information storing unit 34, a projectionimage storing unit 35, an original image obtaining unit 36, and anoriginal image sending unit 37. These functions are actualized by acooperation of the hardware and the program executed by the CPU 16 ofthe projector 100.

The corresponding information storing unit 30 stores the correspondinginformation 204.

The operation accepting unit 31 accepts magnifying operations or thelike from the user. The operation accepting unit 31 receives a requestfor delivering the original image file 200 from the participant terminal80.

The projection image storing unit 35 stores the obtained image file. Theprojection image storing unit 35 stores the obtained correspondinginformation 204 in the corresponding information storing unit 30. Theprojection image storing unit 35 has a function to perform a controloperation based on the corresponding information 204 and the historyinformation, in addition to a static function as a storing unit of theimage files. The projection image storing unit 35 includes an imageprocessing unit 38 that performs image processing on the image file forprojection 202.

The image projection unit 32 outputs the image file stored in theprojection image storing unit 35 to the projection unit 18 and projectsit. As the image file is sent in a form of a predetermined format suchas JPEG, PDF or the like, the image projection unit 32 decodes the imagefile to convert to bit map data to be stored in the projection datamemory 14. Then, the image projection unit 32 has the projection unit 18to project the image file.

The history generating unit 33 generates a projection history andhistory information in which an operation history is recorded for theimage file for projection 202.

The original image obtaining unit 36 sends a request for delivering theoriginal image file 200 to the presenter terminal 90 specified by the IPaddress corresponding to the image ID in the corresponding information204, and obtains the original image file 200 from the presenter terminal90.

The original image sending unit 37 delivers the original image file 200obtained by the original image obtaining unit 36 to the participantterminal 80.

(Information)

(Corresponding Information 204)

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of the corresponding information204. The presenter terminal 90 generates the corresponding information204 as a record and sends it to the projector 100 with the image filefor projection 202. The corresponding information storing unit 30 of theprojector 100 stores a predetermined number of the records. Thecorresponding information 204 includes, for example, items such as“image ID of image file for projection” (just shown as “IMAGE ID” inFIG. 7), “IP address of presenter terminal” (just shown as “IP ADDRESS”in FIG. 7), and “delivering permit flag” (just shown as “FLAG” in FIG.7).

The “image ID of image file for projection” is an image ID for uniquelyspecifying the image file for projection 202 obtained from the presenterterminal 90.

The “IP address of presenter terminal” is an IP address of the presenterterminal 90 which sends the image file for projection 202.Alternatively, a MAC address of the presenter terminal 90, or a username of the presenter terminal 90 or the like may be used instead of theIP address of the presenter terminal 90 provided that the presenterterminal 90 can be uniquely identified. For example, in FIG. 7, thereare two kinds of IP address in “IP address of presenter terminal”; thismeans that there are two presenters.

When there are plural presenter terminals, the “image ID of image filefor projection” may overlap. However, as “IP address of presenterterminal” is unique, the projector 100 can uniquely specify the imagefile for projection 202 by a combination of the image ID and the IPaddress of presenter terminal.

The “delivering permit flag” indicates whether it is permitted todeliver the image file to the participant terminal 80. For example, “00”means that both the original image file 200 and the image file forprojection 202 are permitted to be delivered, “01” means that only theimage file for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered, and “10”means the original image file 200 and the delivering of the image filefor projection 202 are prohibited to be delivered. Whether it ispermitted to deliver the image file to the participant terminal 80 maybe set by the presenter in the presenter terminal 90.

(History Information)

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the history information. Thehistory information includes, for example, items such as “image ID ofimage file for projection” (just shown as “IMAGE ID” in FIG. 8),“display start time”, “display end time”, and “operation history”.

The “image ID of image file for projection” is the image ID of the imagefile for projection 202 sent from the presenter terminal 90.

The “display start time” is a time when the projector 100 startedprojecting the image file for projection 202, and the “display end time”is a time when the projector 100 ended projecting the image file forprojection 202. A display period of the image file for projection 202may be calculated from a difference between the times of the “displaystart time” and the “display end time”.

The “operation history” includes “content of operation” (just shown as“OPERATION CONTENT” in FIG. 8) which is a specific content of anoperation performed to the projector 100. In the “content of operation”,a content of the operation which is accepted by the user I/F 17 of theprojector 100 is recorded. The content of the operation includes, forexample, magnification, contraction, and brightness control of theprojected image. The time when the operation is performed may also berecorded.

Here, an operation command may be sent to the projector 100 via thenetwork 101 from the participant terminal 80 or the presenter terminal90. In this case, the IP address of the participant terminal 80 or thepresenter terminal 90 which sends the operation command is recorded inthe content of operation as well.

(Communication)

The projector 100, the presenter terminal 90 and the participantterminal 80 communicate with each other via the cable LAN or thewireless LAN as described above. For communications in the LAN, Ethernet(registered trademark) is often used. For the Ethernet (registeredtrademark), the cable LAN I/F 12 or the wireless LAN I/F 11 obtains theMAC address and the IP address of each of the apparatuses by a protocolsuch as ARP or the like. On the Ethernet (registered trademark) LAN, anIP layer that decomposes and reconstructs packets, a TCP layer thatcontrols communication, and an application layer that processes dataexist. The IP layer and the TCP layer are processed by a TCP/IP protocolstack provided by an OS, for example. The IP header used in the IP layerincludes IP addresses of sender and receiver. The TCP header used in theTCP layer includes a sender port number and a receiver port number. TheTCP/IP protocol stack determines application software for passing thereceived data based on the port number.

In this embodiment, the projector 100, the presenter terminal 90 and theparticipant terminal 80 may use any application software incommunication. For example, for a browser or file transfer software,HTTP or FTP which is a protocol of the application layer is used. Theparticipant terminal 80 may send a request for delivering the image fileby sending an IP address to the projector 100 by the OS or filemanagement software which uses a protocol for sharing a file via thenetwork such as Server Message Block (SMB) (where a lower layer of SMBis NetBIOS, not TCP/IP). Further, the participant terminal 80 may sendand receive the image file by interprocess communication using RPCprotocol.

(Operation)

(Operation Until Projection)

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100, the participant terminal 80 and the presenter terminal90. In this case, it is assumed that the programs (the functionalstructures) of the presenter terminal 90 and the participant terminal 80previously specify (obtain) the IP addresses with each other.

s1.0: The presenter 210 operates the presenter terminal 90 to project animage.

FIG. 10A is a view showing an example of a projector selection screendisplayed on the display device 27 of the presenter terminal 90. Theprogram of the presenter terminal 90 displays IP addresses or projectornames of detected projectors (including the projector 100). As shown inFIG. 10A, plural IP addresses or projector names may be displayed.Further, a message 301 indicating “select projector” is displayed in thescreen. Thus, the presenter 210 selects one of the projectors, in thiscase the projector 100, which is previously known. Thus, the projector100 to which the presenter terminal 90 sends the image file forprojection 202 is specified.

FIG. 10B is a view showing an example of an image file selection screendisplayed on the display device 27 of the presenter terminal 90. Whenthe presenter wants to project an image file, the presenter operates theuser I/F 24 of the presenter terminal 90 to display an image fileselection screen on the presenter terminal 90. In the image fileselection screen, a message 401 indicating “select image file to beprojected” is included.

The presenter operates the user I/F 24 to push a reference button 402for selecting the original image file 200. The program of the presenterterminal 90 displays a tree structure and file names of original imagefiles (including the original image file 200) of each folder on thedisplay device 27. The presenter selects the original image file 200from the tree structure. The file name of the original image file 200which is selected by the presenter to be projected is displayed in afile name box 403. Further, the program of the presenter terminal 90 maydisplay a thumbnail 404 of the original image file 200 with the filename.

Further, the image file selection screen includes radio buttons 405indicating “permit”, “only for projection”, “prohibited” and the like.The presenter selects whether it is permitted to deliver the originalimage file 200 or the image file for projection 202 to the participantterminal 80 by the radio buttons 405. When the presenter selects the“permit delivering”, the original image file 200 and the delivering ofthe image file for projection 202 are permitted to be delivered. Whenthe presenter selects the “permit only for projection”, only the imagefile for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered. When the presenterselects the “prohibited”, both the original image file 200 and thedelivering of the image file for projection 202 are prohibited frombeing delivered.

When the presenter pushes a send button 406, the projection imagegenerating unit 42 accepts selection of the original image file 200 tobe projected and a setting of whether it is permitted to deliver theoriginal image file 200 or the image file for projection 202.

Referring back to FIG. 9, the following operation is performed.

-   s1.1: The projection image generating unit 42 queries the projector    100 (the projection image storing unit 35, for example) about a file    format, an image size or the like applicable to the projector 100.-   s1.2: The projector 100 sends the file format, the image size or the    like applicable to the projector 100 to the projection image    generating unit 42. The projector 100 may send information as    follows.-   file format: JPEG, BMP-   image size (maximum): 640×480-   file size: 1M byte-   s1.3: The projection image generating unit 42 converts the original    image file 200 to the file format, the image size, the file size or    the like applicable to the projector 100. With this operation, the    image file for projection 202 is generated. Then, the original image    file 200 and the image file for projection 202 are stored in the    image storing unit 45 in a corresponding manner.-   s1.4: Next, the projection image generating unit 42 requests the    corresponding information generating unit 43 to generate the    corresponding information 204. When requesting, the projection image    generating unit 42 reports the image ID of the image file for    projection 202, the setting of permission of delivery to the    corresponding information generating unit 43. The corresponding    information generating unit 43 generates the corresponding    information 204 based on the image ID of the image file for    projection 202, the setting of permission of delivery and IP address    of own terminal (the presenter terminal 90).-   s1.5: The projection image generating unit 42 obtains the    corresponding information 204.-   s1.6: The projection image generating unit 42 sends the image file    for projection 202 with the corresponding information 204 to the    image file sending unit 44.-   s1.7: The image file sending unit 44 sends the image file for    projection 202 with the corresponding information 204 to the    projector 100.-   s1.8: The projection image storing unit 35 receives the image file    for projection 202 and the corresponding information 204, and    requests the history generating unit 33 to generate the history    information. When requested, the projection image storing unit 35    sends the corresponding information 204 to the history generating    unit 33.-   s1.9: The history generating unit 33 records the image ID of the    image file for projection 202 and a display start time to generate    the history information. When the history generating unit 33    generates new history information, the history generating unit 33    records a current time in the “display end time” of the history    information of the current image file for projection.-   s2.0: The history generating unit 33 stores the history information    in the history information storing unit 34.-   s2.1: The history information storing unit 34 sends the recorded    result to the history generating unit 33.-   s2.2: The history generating unit 33 sends the generated result of    the history information to the projection image storing unit 35.-   s2.3: The projection image storing unit 35 of the projector 100    sends the image file for projection 202 to the image projection unit    32 to project the image. With this operation, the image projection    unit 32 decodes the image file for projection 202 to project on the    screen or the like. The image projection unit 32 projects the    last-sent image file for projection 202.

The projection image storing unit 35 sends document ID of the image filefor projection 202 and an IP address of the projector 100 to theprojection unit 18. Thus, the image projection unit 32 of the projector100 displays (projects) the IP address and the document ID with theimage. With this operation, a participant can recognize the IP addressof the projector 100 to which a request is to be sent and the documentID when sending a request for delivering the original image file 200.

-   s2.4: The image projection unit 32 sends the projected result to the    projection image storing unit 35.-   s2.5: The projection image storing unit 35 sends the projected    result to the image file sending unit 44 of the presenter terminal    90.-   s2.6: The image file sending unit 44 sends the projected result to    the projection image generating unit 42.-   s2.7: The projection image generating unit 42 reports the projected    result to the presenter 210.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a display projected by theprojector 100. The image file for projection 202 is visualized byvisible light. Further, the IP address of the projector 100 and thedocument ID are shown at the lower part. The document ID is anidentifier for the projector 100 to uniquely identify the image file forprojection 202. The document ID may be the image ID of the image filefor projection 202, or a combination of date and the image ID of theimage file for projection 202 as shown, for example. When the lattercase is used, the projector 100 stores the correspondence between thedocument ID and the image ID. Further, the date may include the time aswell. Further, as described above, when there are plural presenterterminals, the “image ID of image file for projection” may overlap.Therefore, the document ID may be a combination of the image ID and theIP address of presenter terminal or the like.

(Operation after Projection)

There may be a case when an operator 230 (the participant 220, thepresenter 210 or the like) operates the user I/F 17 of the projector 100to magnify the image because it is not clearly displayed, for example.The projector 100 of the embodiment records this operation in thehistory information.

Referring back to FIG. 9, the following operation is performed.

-   s3.0: First, the operator 230 (the participant 220, the presenter    210 or the like) operates the user I/F 17 of the projector 100 to    magnify the image.-   s3.1: The operation accepting unit 31 reports the content of    operation of the projection image storing unit 35.-   s3.2: The projection image storing unit 35 reports the content of    operation and the image ID of the image file for projection 202 of    currently projected to the history generating unit 33.-   s3.3: The history generating unit 33 specifies the record of the    history information based on the image ID and records the content of    operation in the history information storing unit 34.-   s3.4: The history information storing unit 34 sends the recorded    result to the history generating unit 33.-   s3.5: The history generating unit 33 sends the generated result of    the history information to the projection image storing unit 35.-   s3.6: The projection image storing unit (image processing unit 38)    performs magnifying the image file for projection 202. This    operation is called digital zoom in which a predetermined area of    the image file for projection 202 is trimmed based on the    magnification scale assigned by the operator 230 and the part of the    image file for projection 202 is magnified by interpolating the    pixels.-   s3.7: The projection image storing unit 35 sends the magnified image    file for projection 202 and requests projecting the image to the    image projection unit 32. The image projection unit 32 displays the    magnified image of the last-sent image file for projection 202    instead of the last-sent image file for projection 202. Here, even    when the image is magnified, the image ID of the image file for    projection 202 is not changed so that the current time is not    recorded in the “display end time” of the image file for projection    202 of the history information.-   s3.8: The image projection unit 32 sends the projected result to the    projection image storing unit 35.-   s3.9: The projection image storing unit 35 sends the projected    result to the operation accepting unit 31.    (Operation of Obtaining Original Image File 200 by Participant    Terminal 80)

When the participant 220 wants to obtain the original image file 200 ofthe image projected by the projector 100, the participant 230 can obtainthe original image file 200 by using the participant terminal 80.

-   s4.11: The participant 220 operates the participant terminal 80 to    obtain the original image file 200. The program of the participant    terminal 80, similar to the presenter terminal 90, is capable of    connecting to the projector 100 by the IP address of the projector    100. Further, the participant may input the IP address of the    projector 100, which is projected by the projector 100 to connect    the participant terminal 80 to the projector 100.

FIG. 12A is a view showing an example of an image information inputdisplay displayed on the display device 27 of the participant terminal80. The image information input display includes a message 501indicating “select document ID of document to be obtained”. Theparticipant selects the document ID projected by the projector 100 andinputs the document ID in an ID input box 502 by using the user I/F 24of the participant terminal 80. When the participant pushes adetermination button 503, the image information accepting unit 52accepts the document ID.

-   s4.12: The image information accepting unit 52 sends the document ID    and requests obtaining the original image file 200 to the image    obtaining unit 51.-   s4.13: The image obtaining unit 51 sends the request for delivering    the original image file 200 with the document ID to the operation    accepting unit 31 of the projector 100.-   s4.14: The operation accepting unit 31 sends the document ID and a    request for the IP address of the presenter terminal 90 to the    projection image storing unit 35.-   s4.15: The projection image storing unit 35 converts the document ID    to the image ID, if necessary, and reads the IP address of the    presenter terminal 90 corresponding to the image ID in the    corresponding information 204. The projection image storing unit 35    refers to the corresponding information 204 and determines whether    the original image file 200 specified by the image ID is permitted    to be delivered.-   s4.16: The operation accepting unit 31 obtains the IP address of the    presenter terminal 90 from the projection image storing unit 35.-   s4.17: The operation accepting unit 31 sends the IP address of the    presenter terminal 90 and the image ID to the original image    obtaining unit 36 and requests obtaining the original image file    200.-   s4.18: The original image obtaining unit 36 selects the IP address    of the presenter terminal 90, sends the image ID to the image file    sending unit 44 of the presenter terminal 90 and requests obtaining    the original image file 200.-   s4.19: The image file sending unit 44 reads the original image file    200 from the image storing unit 45 based on the image ID.-   s4.20: The image file sending unit 44 sends the original image file    200 to the original image obtaining unit 36.-   s4.21: The original image obtaining unit 36 sends the original image    file 200 to the operation accepting unit 31.-   s4.22: The operation accepting unit 31 sends the original image file    200 to the original image sending unit 37.-   s4.221 to s4.222: The original image sending unit 37 sends the    original image file 200 to the participant terminal 80. The original    image sending unit 37 generates an HTML file including the original    image file 200, for example, and sends it to the participant    terminal 80. Alternatively, the original image file 200 itself may    be sent.-   s4.23: The original image sending unit 37 reports the sent result of    the original image file 200 to the operation accepting unit 31.-   s4.24: The operation accepting unit 31 reports the completion of    sending the original image file 200 to the image obtaining unit 51.-   s4.25: The image obtaining unit 51 reports received result of the    original image file 200 to the image information accepting unit 52.-   s4.26: The image information accepting unit 52 reports the received    result of the original image file 200 to the participant 220.

FIG. 12B is a view showing an example of the original image file 200displayed on the display device 27 of the participant terminal 80. Thebrowser of the participant terminal 80, for example, displays theoriginal image file 200. With this operation, the participant 220 canobtain the original image file 200 of the image projected by theprojector 100. Thus, the participant 220 can print the image file whoseimage quality is not lowered for projection.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100. The following operation corresponds to steps S4.13 tos4.26 in FIG. 9.

First, the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100 receives arequest for delivering the original image file 200 (S10).

The projection image storing unit 35 reads the corresponding information204 specified by the image ID (S20).

The projection image storing unit 35 refers to the delivering permitflag in the corresponding information 204, and determines whether thedelivering of the original image file 200 or the image file forprojection 202 is permitted (S30).

When the original image file 200 is permitted to be delivered (originalpermitted), the projection image storing unit 35 specifies the IPaddress of the presenter terminal 90 based on the correspondinginformation 204 (S40).

Then, the original image obtaining unit 36 obtains the original imagefile 200 from the presenter terminal 90 (S50). The original imagesending unit 37 sends the original image file 200 to the participantterminal 80 (S60).

When the original image file 200 is not permitted to be delivered butthe image file for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered (only forprojection), the projection image storing unit 35 reads the image filefor projection 202 (S70). When the image file for projection 202 is tobe delivered, it is unnecessary to obtain the image file for projection202 from the presenter terminal 90.

The original image sending unit 37 sends the image file for projection202 to the participant terminal 80 (S80).

When it is prohibited to deliver both the original image file 200 andthe delivering of the image file for projection 202, the original imagesending unit 37 sends information indicating prohibition to theparticipant terminal 80 (S90).

As described above, the participant 220 can obtain the original imagefile 200. Further, even when the participant 220 cannot obtain theoriginal image file 200, there may be a case when the participant 220can obtain the image file for projection 202.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of images for each of the casesshown in FIG. 13.

For a case (a), the participant obtains the original image file 200 instep S60. For a case (b), the participant obtains the image file forprojection 202 in step S70. For a case (c), the participant cannotobtain either the original image file 200 or the image file forprojection 202 and a message indicating “requested image file cannot beobtained” is shown in step S90.

The image quality of the image file for projection 202 may be degradedor the size of the image file for projection 202 may be smaller thanthat of the original image file 200 because of the conversion forprojection. As shown for the case (a), when the original image file 200is obtained, the image quality is higher.

Further, as shown for the case (b), even when the original image file200 cannot be obtained, if the image file for projection 202 isobtained, the content of the image can be understood. At this time, theprojector 100 may report a fact that the sent image file is the imagefile for projection 202 to the participant 220.

Further, as shown for the case (c), by the message indicating “requestedimage file cannot be obtained”, the participant 220 can recognize thatthe image file cannot be obtained.

As described above, according to the image projection system 300 of theembodiment, the original image file 200 can be delivered to theparticipant 220. Thus, the participant 220 can obtain document data witha high quality to print or the like. Further, the image file obtained bythe participant terminal 80 may be flexibly controlled.

(Second Embodiment)

In the image projection system 300 of this embodiment, whether todeliver the original image file 200 is controlled based on the historyinformation.

As explained in the first embodiment, the projector 100 generates thehistory information in which the display start time and the display endtime are recorded. Here, the image file for projection 202 for which theprojected (or displayed) period is longer may be an important image filefor the participant 220 or the presenter 210. Further, for the imagefile which is not so important it may be enough for the participant 220to obtain the image file for projection 202 instead of the originalimage file 200.

Thus, the projector 100 of the embodiment determines whether to deliverthe original image file 200 or the image file for projection 202 basedon the history information. Specifically, the projector 100 delivers theoriginal image file 200 for the image file for projection 202 for whichdisplay period is long and delivers the image file for projection 202for the image file for projection 202 for which display period is notlong, to the participant terminal 80 based on the display start time andthe display end time of the history information.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of images projected and delivered.

For (a), a projection history is schematically shown where the displayperiod of the second image file for projection 202 (shown in the middle)is more than or equal to 1 minute, for example.

For (b), image files delivered to the participant terminal 80 areschematically shown. It is assumed that the participant requested toobtain three image files, as shown in (a), for example. In such a case,the projector 100 refers the history information and determines that forthe first image file, the image file for projection is to be deliveredas the display period is short. The projector 100 determines that forthe second image file, the original image file is to be delivered as thedisplay period is long. Further, the projector 100 determines that forthe third image file, the image file for projection is to be deliveredas the display period is short. By the above determination, theparticipant terminal 80 obtains the original image file only for thesecond image file.

Thus, the image projection system 300 of the embodiment can selectivelysend an image file with a high quality when the important image file isselected. Further, for the image file not so important, the image filefor projection is delivered to reduce a load on the network 101.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of generatingthe history information. The following operation corresponds to steps1.9 in FIG. 9. Thus, the projection image storing unit 35 has alreadygenerated the image file for projection 202, and the history generatingunit 33 has already obtained the image ID of the image file forprojection 202 (S110).

The history generating unit 33 records the current time as the displaystart time in correspondence with the image ID of the image file forprojection 202 (S120). With this operation, the history informationbecomes as follows, for example.

Image ID: 2.jpg

Display start time: 23:00

Then, the history generating unit 33 determines whether the imageprojection unit 32 is projecting an image (S130). The projection imagestoring unit 35 manages whether there is an image being projected.

When no image is being projected (NO in S130), the operation of thehistory generating unit 33 ends.

When an image is being projected (YES in S130), the history generatingunit 33 records the current time as the display end time incorrespondence with the image ID of the currently projected image filefor projection (S140). With this operation, the display period can bedetermined. With this operation, the history information becomes asfollows, for example.

Image ID: 1.jpg

Display end time: 23:00

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100. The following operation corresponds to steps S4.13 tos4.26 in FIG. 9. The following operation is basically the same as thatshown in FIG. 13, and only the operation in step S22 is different.

First, the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100 receives arequest for delivering the original image file 200 (S10).

The projection image storing unit 35 reads the corresponding information204 and the history information specified by the image ID (S15).

Then, the projection image storing unit 35 calculates the display periodbased on the display start time and the display end time of the historyinformation, and determined whether the display period is more than orequal to a predetermined period (S22). Here, the predetermined periodmay be 1 minute, for example. Here, when the display end time of theimage file for projection 202 is not recorded because the image file isbeing projected by the image projection unit 32, the projection imagestoring unit 35 assumes the current time as the display end time andcalculates the display period up to the current time.

When the display period is more than or equal to the predeterminedperiod (YES in S22), the projection image storing unit 35 determines todeliver the original image file 200 as a candidate for delivery (S23).

When the display period is less than the predetermined period (NO inS22), the projection image storing unit 35 determines the image file forprojection 202 as a candidate for delivery (S24).

Even when it is determined that the image file is the important one, asthe delivering permit flag set by the presenter 210 is effective, theoperation same as that shown in FIG. 13 is performed after steps S23 andS24.

The projection image storing unit 35 refers to the delivering permitflag in the corresponding information 204, and determines whether thedelivering of the original image file 200 or the image file forprojection 202 is permitted (S30).

When the original image file 200 is the candidate for delivery and whenthe original image file 200 is permitted to be delivered, the projectionimage storing unit 35 specifies the IP address of the presenter terminal90 based on the corresponding information 204 (S40).

Then, the original image obtaining unit 36 obtains the original imagefile 200 from the presenter terminal 90 (S50). The original imagesending unit 37 sends the original image file 200 to the participantterminal 80 (S60).

When the original image file 200 is the candidate for delivery and onlythe delivering of the image file for projection 202 is permitted (whenthe delivering of the original image file 200 is not permitted), or whenthe image file for projection 202 is the candidate for delivery and thedelivering of the image file for projection 202 is permitted, theprojection image storing unit 35 reads the image file for projection 202(S70). The original image sending unit 37 sends the image file forprojection 202 to the participant terminal 80 (S80).

Regardless of the kind of the image file of the candidate for delivery,when both the delivering of the original image file 200 and thedelivering of the image file for projection 202 are prohibited, theoriginal image sending unit 37 sends information indicating prohibitionto the participant terminal 80 (S90).

As described above, according to the image projection system of theembodiment, the original image file 200 is selectively delivered for therequest for delivering the image file for projection 202 which isdetermined to be important while responding to the setting of permissionof delivery.

(Third Embodiment)

In the second embodiment, whether to deliver the original image file 200is determined based on whether the requested image file for projection202 is important. However, there may be a case when the participantwants to confirm a content of the image file for projection 202 which isdifficult to see by using the participant terminal 80 even when theimage file is not so important.

Thus, the projector 100 of the embodiment determines whether to deliverthe original image file 200 or the image file for projection 202 basedon the operation history of the history information. Specifically, theprojector 100 delivers the original image file 200 for the image filefor projection 202 for which it is determined to be difficult to be seenbased on the operation history to the participant terminal 80. Theprojector 100 delivers the image file for projection 202 for the imagefile for projection 202 for which it is determined not to be difficultto be seen based on the operation history to the participant terminal80. Here, the image file for projection 202 for which the “magnifyingoperation” is recorded in the operation history is determined to bedifficult to be seen, for example.

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of images projected and delivered.

For (a), history information is schematically shown where magnifyingoperation history is recorded for the second image file for projection202 (shown in the middle).

For (b), image files delivered to the participant terminal 80 areschematically shown. It is assumed that the participant requested toobtain three image files, as shown in (a), for example. In such a case,the projector 100 refers to the history information and determines thatfor the first image file, the image file for projection is to bedelivered as the magnifying operation history is not recorded for thisimage file. The projector 100 determines that for the second image file,the original image file is to be delivered as the magnifying operationhistory is recorded for the image file. Further, the projector 100determines that for the third image file, the image file for projectionis to be delivered as the magnifying operation history is not recordedfor the image file. By the above determination, the participant terminal80 obtains the original image file only for the second image file.

Thus, the image projection system 300 of the embodiment can deliver theimage file with a high quality only for the image file that is difficultto see for the participant. Further, as the image file for projection202 is delivered for the image file which is not difficult to see, aload to the network 101 can be reduced.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100. FIG. 19 corresponds to steps S4.13 to s4.26 of FIG. 9.The operation is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 17, and onlythe operation in step S21 is different from that in step S22 shown inFIG. 17.

First, the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100 receives arequest for delivering the original image file 200 (S10).

The projection image storing unit 35 reads the corresponding information204 and the history information specified by the image ID (S15).

Next, the projection image storing unit 35 determines whether amagnifying operation history is included in the history information(S21).

When the magnifying operation history is included (YES in S21), theprojection image storing unit 35 determines the original image file 200as a candidate for delivery (S23).

When the magnifying operation history is not included (NO in S21), theprojection image storing unit 35 determines the image file forprojection 202 as a candidate for delivery (S24).

Even when the image file is difficult to be seen, as the deliveringpermit flag set by the presenter 210 is effective, the operation same asthat shown in FIG. 13 is performed after steps S23 and S24.

The projection image storing unit 35 refers the delivering permit flagin the corresponding information 204, and determined whether thedelivering of the original image file 200 or the delivering of the imagefile for projection 202 is permitted (S30).

When the original image file 200 is the candidate for delivery and whenthe original image file 200 is permitted to be delivered, the projectionimage storing unit 35 specifies the IP address of the presenter terminal90 based on the corresponding information 204 (S40).

Then, the original image obtaining unit 36 obtains the original imagefile 200 from the presenter terminal 90 (S50). The original imagesending unit 37 sends the original image file 200 to the participantterminal 80 (S60).

When the original image file 200 is the candidate for delivery and whenonly the image file for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered (theoriginal image file 200 is not permitted to be delivered), or when theimage file for projection 202 is the candidate for delivery and when theimage file for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered, theprojection image storing unit 35 reads the image file for projection 202(S70). The original image sending unit 37 sends the image file forprojection 202 to the participant terminal 80 (S80).

Regardless of the kind of the image file of the candidate for delivery,when both the delivering of the original image file 200 and thedelivering of the image file for projection 202 are prohibited, theoriginal image sending unit 37 sends information indicating prohibitionto the participant terminal 80 (S90).

As described above, according to the image projection system of theembodiment, the original image file 200 is selectively delivered for therequest for delivering the image file for projection 202 which isdetermined to be difficult to be seen while responding to the setting ofpermission of delivery.

(Fourth Embodiment)

In the second embodiment and in the third embodiment, whether to deliverthe original image file 200 is determined based on whether the requestedimage file for projection 202 is important and difficult to be seen,respectively. However, there may be a case when it is unnecessary todeliver the image file when it is not important or it is not difficultto be seen.

Thus, the projector 100 of the embodiment does not deliver the imagefile when the image file is not important or not difficult to be seen.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100. FIG. 20 corresponds to steps S4.13 to s4.26 of FIG. 9.The operation is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 17, and onlythe operation when it is determined to be “NO” in step S22 is differentfrom that in step S22 shown in FIG. 17.

First, the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100 receives arequest for delivering the original image file 200 (S10).

The projection image storing unit 35 reads the corresponding information204 and the history information specified by the image ID (S15).

Then, the projection image storing unit 35 calculates the display periodbased on the display start time and the display end time of the historyinformation, and determines whether the display period is more than orequal to a predetermined period (S22). The predetermined period may be 1minute, for example.

When the display period is more than or equal to the predeterminedperiod (YES in S22), the projection image storing unit 35 determines theoriginal image file 200 as a candidate for delivery (S23).

When the display period is less than the predetermined periods (NO inS22), the projection image storing unit 35 determines not to deliver anyimage file (S90). With this operation, the delivering of unimportantimage files can be suppressed.

The following operation is the same as that explained in the secondembodiment and in the third embodiment. The projection image storingunit 35 refers to the delivering permit flag in the correspondinginformation 204, and determines whether the delivering of the originalimage file 200 or the image file for projection 202 is permitted (S30).

When the original image file 200 is the candidate for delivery and whenthe original image file 200 is permitted to be delivered, the projectionimage storing unit 35 specifies the IP address of the presenter terminal90 based on the corresponding information 204 (S40).

Then, the original image obtaining unit 36 obtains the original imagefile 200 from the presenter terminal 90 (S50). The original imagesending unit 37 sends the original image file 200 to the participantterminal 80 (S60).

When the original image file 200 is the candidate for delivery and whenonly the image file for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered (theoriginal image file 200 is not permitted to be delivered), or when theimage file for projection 202 is the candidate for delivery and when theimage file for projection 202 is permitted to be delivered, theprojection image storing unit 35 reads the image file for projection 202(S70). The original image sending unit 37 sends the image file forprojection 202 to the participant terminal 80 (S80).

Regardless of the kind of the image file of the candidate for delivery,when both the delivering of the original image file 200 and thedelivering of the image file for projection 202 are prohibited, theoriginal image sending unit 37 sends information indicating prohibitionto the participant terminal 80 (S90).

When the operation of the embodiment is applied to that of the thirdembodiment, the difference is that only the operation in step S22becomes the operation in S21. Thus, the explanation is not repeated.

(When Inquiring Participant)

In this embodiment, although it is described that the image file notimportant or not difficult to be seen is not delivered, whether todeliver the image file not important or not difficult to be seen may bedetermined by the participant 220. There may be a participant who wantsto obtain all of the image files even when the image file is notimportant. Further, which of the image files is important may depend onthe participant.

Thus, in this example, when the participant requests the original imagefile 200, the participant sets whether it is necessary to obtain theimage file not important or not difficult to be seen.

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of an image information inputdisplay displayed on the display device 27 of the participant terminal80. In FIG. 21, the same components are given the same referencenumerals as those shown in FIG. 12A, and explanations are not repeated.In FIG. 21, a message 504 indicating “Do you want to obtain image fileeven if it is not important or it is not difficult to see?”, and radiobuttons 505 for selecting “YES” or “NO” are displayed. When theparticipant wants to obtain the image file requested even when it is notimportant or it is not difficult to see, the participant selects “YES”;if not, the participant selects “NO”. The selected result may bereferred to as “delivering necessity information” in the following. Thedelivering necessity information is sent to the projector 100 from theparticipant terminal 80 with the image ID of the image file forprojection 202.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100. FIG. 22 corresponds to steps S4.13 to s4.26 of FIG. 9.The operation is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 20, and onlythe operation when it is determined to be “NO” in step S22 is differentfrom that in step S22 shown in FIG. 20.

First, the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100 receives arequest for delivering the original image file 200 (S10).

The projection image storing unit 35 reads the corresponding information204 and the history information specified by the image ID (S15).

Then, the projection image storing unit 35 calculates the display periodbased on the display start time and the display end time of the historyinformation, and determines whether the display period is more than orequal to a predetermined period (S22). The predetermined period may be 1minute, for example.

When the display period is more than or equal to the predeterminedperiod (YES in S22), the projection image storing unit 35 determines theoriginal image file 200 as a candidate for delivery (S23).

When the display period is less than the predetermined period (NO inS22), the projection image storing unit 35 refers the deliveringnecessity information and determines whether delivering the image fileis necessary (S26).

When it is determined that the delivering is necessary (YES in S26), theprojection image storing unit 35 determines the original image file 200as a candidate for delivery (S23). With this operation, even for theimage file which is not important, the original image file 200 can beset as the candidate for delivery for the requested image file. Theoperation proceeds to step S30, and the same operation as explained withreference to FIG. 20 is performed.

When it is determined that the delivering is unnecessary (NO in S26),the operation proceeds to step S90 and the same operation as explainedwith reference to FIG. 20 is performed. With this operation, thedelivering of unimportant image files can be suppressed.

When the operation of the embodiment is applied to that of the thirdembodiment, the difference is that only the operation in step S22becomes the operation in S21. Thus, the explanation is not repeated.

According to the embodiment, for example, when the number of projectedimage files is large, the projector 100 can selectively deliver theimportant part of the presentation to the participant terminal 80. Thus,the participant can obtain the image file by which the content of thepresentation can be easily understood. Further, when the number ofprojected image files is small, or when the original image file 200 isnecessary, the participant can arbitrarily obtain the original imagefile 200.

(Fifth Embodiment)

In the third embodiment, whether to deliver the original image file 200or the image file for projection 202 is determined based on themagnifying operation recorded in the history information. In thisembodiment, when the magnifying operation is recorded in the historyinformation, the image projection system delivers magnified image datato the participant terminal 80.

By delivering the magnified image data to the participant, an image fileof a magnified important part can be generated from the original imagefile 200 and delivered to the participant terminal 80.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the image projection system 300 of the embodiment. In FIG. 23, thesame components are given the same reference numerals as those shown inFIG. 6, and explanations are not repeated. The projector 100 shown inFIG. 23 further includes a magnification inquiry unit 39.

The magnification inquiry unit 39 inquires of the participant whether tomagnify the original image file 200 when the magnifying operation isrecorded in the history information. Then, the magnification inquiryunit 39 receives the result of the inquiry from the participant terminal80 and reports the result to the projection image storing unit 35.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of generatingthe history information by the history generating unit 33 of theembodiment. As explained as steps S3.0 to S3.9 of the first embodimentwith reference to FIG. 9, the history generating unit 33 stores acontent of operation in the history information storing unit 34. Thehistory generating unit 33 of the embodiment further storesmagnification scale of the magnifying operation in the historyinformation storing unit 34 in addition to the content of operation.

First, the operator 230 (the participant 220, the presenter 210 or thelike) operates the user I/F 17 of the projector 100 to magnify theimage. The magnification scale may be determined by a period for whichthe operator 230 pushes a button to magnify, a magnification scale inputby numerals or the like. Further, the operator 230 may specify themagnification center of the image. The magnification center may beassigned by coordinates such as (30, 40) or the like, for which the leftand upper corner of the image is set as an origin. Alternatively, themagnification center may be assigned by selecting a cell formed bydividing the image file into 9 to 16 cells, for example. Further, whenthe projector 100 includes a camera, the magnification center may be setat a position in the projected image where the operator indicated by hisor her finger or a laser pointer. The operation accepting unit 31 sendsthe content of operation including the magnification scale and themagnification center to the projection image storing unit 35 (S210). Theprojection image storing unit 35 reports the content of operation andthe image ID of the currently projected image file for projection to thehistory generating unit 33.

The history generating unit 33 specifies the record of the historyinformation based on the image ID, and stores the content of operationin the history information storing unit 34 (S220).

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of the history information of theembodiment. In FIG. 25, the history information includes items such as“magnification scale” and “magnification center” corresponding to thecontent of operation. Here, it is recorded that the magnification scaleis “×4” and the magnification center is “(30, 40)” for the content ofoperation “magnify” for the image ID of the image file for projection202 “1.jpg”.

Then, the projection image storing unit (image processing unit 38)performs a magnifying process on the image file for projection 202. Thisoperation is similar to that shown in the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100.

First, the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100 receives arequest for delivering the original image file 200 (S10).

The projection image storing unit 35 reads the corresponding information204 and the history information specified by the image ID (S15).

Next, the projection image storing unit 35 determines whether amagnifying operation history is included in the history information(S21).

When the magnifying operation history is included (YES in S21), theprojection image storing unit 35 refers to the delivering permit flag inthe corresponding information 204, and determines whether the deliveringof the original image file 200 is permitted (S2101). When the deliveringof the original image file 200 is not permitted, the delivering of themagnified original image file 200 should not be permitted as well.

When the original image file 200 is permitted to be delivered (YES inS2101), the magnification inquiry unit 39 inquires of the participantwhether to magnify the original image file 200 (S2102). Themagnification inquiry unit 39 generates an HTML file, for example, andsends it to the image information accepting unit 52 of the participantterminal 80.

FIG. 27 is a view showing an example of a magnification inquiry displayimage displayed on the display device 27 of the participant terminal 80.In FIG. 27, a message 601 indicating “there is magnifying operationhistory for document ID ID20110511p1”, the magnification scale andmagnification center 602, and radio buttons 603 for selecting “YES” or“NO” are displayed. The participant confirms the document ID, themagnification scale and the magnification center, and determines whetherto request the delivering of the magnified original image file 200. Theparticipant sets whether to request the delivering of the magnifiedoriginal image file 200 by the radio buttons 603, and pushes adetermination button 604. With this operation, whether to request thedelivering of the magnified original image file 200 is sent.

Referring back to FIG. 26, the magnification inquiry unit 39 determineswhether to send a request for the magnified image to the presenterterminal 90 based on the result of the inquiry (S2103).

When the participant does not request the magnified image (NO in S2103),the projection image storing unit 35 determines to deliver the originalimage file 200 (S2107). The reason to determine, not just setting as thecandidate for delivery, is that the delivering permit flag is alreadychecked in this example.

When the participant requests the magnified image (YES in S2103), theoriginal image obtaining unit 36 sends the image ID and the content ofoperation to the presenter terminal 90 in order to obtain the magnifiedoriginal image file 200 (S2104). With this operation, the presenterterminal 90 can obtain the magnification scale and the magnificationcenter.

The projection image generating unit 42 of the presenter terminal 90obtains the content of operation (S2111).

The projection image generating unit 42 reads the original image file200 specified by the image ID from the image storing unit 45, andperforms the magnifying process (S2112).

The image file sending unit 44 sends the magnified original image file200 to the projector 100 (S2113).

The original image obtaining unit 36 of the projector 100 receives themagnified original image file 200 (S2105). Subsequently, the originalimage sending unit 37 sends the magnified original image file 200 to theparticipant terminal 80 (S2106). With the above operation, theparticipant terminal 80 can obtain the magnified important part of theoriginal image file 200.

In step S21, when the magnifying operation history is not included (NOin S21), the projection image storing unit 35 determines the image filefor projection 202 as a candidate for delivery (S24), and the sameoperation as that of the third embodiment is performed.

Thus, the projection image storing unit 35 refers to the deliveringpermit flag in the corresponding information 204, and determines whetherthe delivering of the image file for projection 202 is permitted (S30).

When the image file for projection 202 is the candidate for delivery andthe delivering of the image file for projection 202 is permitted, theprojection image storing unit 35 reads the image file for projection 202(S70). The original image sending unit 37 sends the image file forprojection 202 to the participant terminal 80 (S80).

When the delivering of the image file for projection 202 is prohibited,the original image sending unit 37 sends information indicatingprohibition to the participant terminal 80 (S90).

In step S21, when the magnifying operation history is not included (NOin S21), the projection image storing unit 35 may determine not todeliver any of the original image file 200 and the image file forprojection 202 as described in the fourth embodiment.

According to the embodiment, as the important part is magnified from theoriginal image file 200 whose resolution is high, the image file of theimportant part with a small data amount can be generated.

(Sixth Embodiment)

In the above embodiments, the participant terminal 80 obtains theoriginal image file 200 from the projector 100. However, according theimage projection system of the embodiment, the participant terminal 80obtains the original image file 200 from the presenter terminal 90.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional structureof the image projection system of the embodiment. In FIG. 28, the samecomponents are given the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG.6, and explanations are not repeated. In this embodiment, the projector100 does not include the original image obtaining unit 36 and theoriginal image sending unit 37.

The projector 100 reads the IP address corresponding with the image IDof the presenter terminal 90 in the corresponding information 204 inaccordance with the request for delivering the original image file 200from the participant terminal 80 and sends the IP address of thepresenter terminal 90 to the participant terminal 80. The imageobtaining unit 51 of the participant terminal 80 specifies the presenterterminal 90 by the IP address, and sends a request for delivering theoriginal image file 200 with the image ID of the image file forprojection 202 to the presenter terminal 90. The image obtaining unit 51receives the original image file 200 sent from the presenter terminal90.

Here, when delivering of the original image file 200 is not permitted bythe delivering permit flag in the corresponding information 204, thepresenter terminal 90 sends the image file for projection 202 to theparticipant terminal 80 even when the participant terminal 80 requeststhe original image file 200. Alternatively, the presenter terminal 90may not send the image file for projection 202 to the participantterminal 80 as well. Thus, even for a case when the participant terminal80 requests to obtain the original image file 200 from the presenterterminal 90, the corresponding information 204 is effective.

Further, in the first to fifth embodiments, the projector 100 controlswhether to send the original image file 200, the image file forprojection 202 or not to send any image files based on the historyinformation in response to the request for delivering the image filefrom the participant terminal 80. However, according to the presentembodiment, where the participant terminal 80 directly obtains the imagefile from the presenter terminal 90, the projector 100 cannot controlthis operation.

Therefore, the projector 100 may send rights information indicating itis possible to obtain the original image file 200 from the presenterterminal 90, it is possible to obtain only the image file for projection202 from the presenter terminal 90, or it is impossible to obtain theoriginal image file 200 and the image file for projection 202, forexample, based on the history information with the IP address to theparticipant terminal 80. The participant terminal 80 may send the rightsinformation with the image ID to the presenter terminal 90. With thisoperation, the presenter terminal 90 can control whether to send theoriginal image file 200, the image file for projection 202 or not tosend the image file to the participant terminal 80, based on the rightsinformation sent from the projector 100 via the participant terminal 80.

FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation of theprojector 100, the participant terminal 80 and the presenter terminal 90when the participant terminal 80 obtains the original image file 200.Further, operation of the projector 100 until projecting the image fileand after projecting the image file is the same as that explained in thefirst embodiment, and is not repeated.

(Operation of Obtaining Original Image File by Participant Terminal)

When the participant wants to obtain the original image file 200 of theimage projected by the projector 100, the participant can obtain theoriginal image file 200 using the participant terminal 80.

-   s5.11: The participant 220 operates the participant terminal 80 for    obtaining the original image file 200. The program of the    participant terminal 80, similar to that of the presenter terminal    90, is capable of connecting to the projector 100 by the IP address    of the projector 100. Further, the participant may input the IP    address of the projector 100, which is projected by the projector    100 to connect the participant terminal 80 to the projector 100.-   s5.12: The image information accepting unit 52 sends the document ID    and requests obtaining the original image file 200 to the image    obtaining unit 51.-   s5.13: The image obtaining unit 51 sends the request for delivering    the IP address of the presenter terminal 90 which stores the    original image file 200 specified by the document ID with the    document ID to the operation accepting unit 31 of the projector 100.-   s5.14: The operation accepting unit 31 sends the document ID and    requests the IP address of the presenter terminal 90 to the    projection image storing unit 35.-   s5.15: The projection image storing unit 35 converts the document ID    to the image ID, and reads the IP address of the presenter terminal    90 corresponding to the image ID in the corresponding information    204. The projection image storing unit 35 refers to the    corresponding information 204 and determines whether the original    image file 200 specified by the image ID is permitted to be    delivered.-   s5.16: The operation accepting unit 31 obtains the IP address of the    presenter terminal 90 from the projection image storing unit 35.-   s5.17: The operation accepting unit 31 sends the IP address of the    presenter terminal 90 to the image obtaining unit 51.-   s5.18: The image obtaining unit 51 selects the IP address of the    presenter terminal 90, sends the image ID to the image file sending    unit 44 of the presenter terminal 90 and requests obtaining the    original image file 200.-   s5.19: The image file sending unit 44 reads the original image file    200 from the image storing unit 45 based on the image ID and sends    the original image file 200 to the image obtaining unit 51.-   s5.20: The image obtaining unit 51 reports the received result of    the original image file 200 to the image information accepting unit    52.-   s5.21: The image information accepting unit 52 reports the received    result of the original image file 200 to the participant 220.

According to the embodiment, as it is unnecessary for the projector 100to obtain the original image file 200 from the presenter terminal 90, aload on the projector 100 can be reduced.

According to the embodiment, a network system capable of deliveringappropriate image data to a participant is provided.

The individual constituents of the network system may be embodied byarbitrary combinations of hardware and software, typified by a CPU of anarbitrary computer, memory, a program loaded in the memory so as toembody the constituents illustrated in the drawings, storage units forstoring the program such as a hard disk, and an interface for networkconnection. It may be understood by those skilled in the art thatmethods and devices for the embodiments allow various modifications.

Although a preferred embodiment of the network system has beenspecifically illustrated and described, it is to be understood thatminor modifications may be made therein without departing from the spritand scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosedembodiments, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network system comprising: an image projectionapparatus that projects image data; a first terminal; and a secondterminal, connected with each other via a network, wherein the firstterminal includes an original image data storing unit that storesoriginal image data, an image data generating unit that generates imagedata for projection, for which an amount of information is reduced fromthe original image data, from the original image data, a correspondinginformation generating unit that generates corresponding information inwhich image identification data of the image data for projection capableof identifying the original image data and terminal identification datafor identifying the first terminal correspond with each other, a firstsending unit that sends the image data for projection with therespective corresponding information to the image projection apparatus,a reading unit that reads, upon receiving a request for delivering theoriginal image data stored in the original image data storing unitincluding the image identification data from the second terminal, theoriginal image data from the original image data storing unit based onthe image identification data included in the request, and a secondsending unit that sends the original image data read by the reading unitto the second terminal, wherein the second terminal includes a firstobtaining unit that sends a request for delivering the correspondinginformation of image data being projected by the image projectionapparatus to the image projection apparatus, and obtains thecorresponding information sent from the image projection apparatus inresponse to the request, and a second obtaining unit that sends theimage identification data included in the corresponding information anda request for delivering image data to the first terminal specified bythe terminal identification data included in the correspondinginformation obtained by the first obtaining unit and obtains theoriginal image data based on the image identification data from thefirst terminal, and wherein the image projection apparatus includes astoring unit that stores the image data for projection in correspondencewith the corresponding information sent from the first sending unit, animage projection unit that projects the image data for projection, and acorresponding information sending unit that sends, upon receiving therequest for delivering the corresponding information of the image databeing projected from the second terminal, the corresponding informationstored in the storing unit, to the second terminal.
 2. The networksystem according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit of the firstterminal reads the original image data from the original image datastoring unit when the original image data is permitted to be delivered.3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the terminalidentification data is an IP address of the first terminal.
 4. Thenetwork system according to claim 1, wherein the image projectionapparatus is a projector.
 5. An image projection apparatus, connected toa first terminal and a second terminal via a network, wherein the firstterminal includes an original image data storing unit that storesoriginal image data, an image data generating unit that generates imagedata for projection, for which an amount of information is reduced fromthe original image data, from the original image data, a correspondinginformation generating unit that generates corresponding information inwhich image identification data of the image data for projection capableof identifying the original image data and terminal identification datafor identifying the first terminal correspond with each other, a firstsending unit that sends the image data for projection with therespective corresponding information to the image projection apparatus,a reading unit that reads, upon receiving a request for delivering theoriginal image data stored in the original image data storing unitincluding the image identification data from the second terminal, theoriginal image data from the original image data storing unit based onthe image identification data included in the request, and a secondsending unit that sends the original image data read by the reading unitto the second terminal, and the second terminal includes a firstobtaining unit that sends a request for delivering the correspondinginformation of image data being projected by the image projectionapparatus to the image projection apparatus, and obtains thecorresponding information sent from the image projection apparatus inresponse to the request, and a second obtaining unit that sends theimage identification data included in the corresponding information anda request for delivering image data to the first terminal specified bythe terminal identification data included in the correspondinginformation obtained by the first obtaining unit and obtains theoriginal image data based on the image identification data from thefirst terminal, the image projection apparatus comprising: a storingunit that stores the image data for projection in correspondence withthe corresponding information sent from the first sending unit; an imageprojection unit that projects the image data for projection; and acorresponding information sending unit that sends, upon receiving therequest for delivering the corresponding information of the image databeing projected from the second terminal, the corresponding informationstored in the storing unit, to the second terminal.
 6. The imageprojection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reading unit ofthe first terminal reads the original image data from the original imagedata storing unit when the original image data is permitted to bedelivered.
 7. The image projection apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the terminal identification data is an IP address of the firstterminal.
 8. The image projection apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the image projection apparatus is a projector.